Load Advisor: Sunday 7 June 2026
NSW prices are currently running at $82.92/MWh, QLD at $87.73/MWh, TAS at $87.87/MWh, VIC at $74.05/MWh, and SA at $67.35/MWh. WA sits at $133.59/MWh — a significant premium over the eastern states. All NEM window data rates the upcoming overnight period as excellent quality across NSW, VIC, SA, and QLD, with prices set to drop materially from around 10:30 AEST tonight.
The standout opportunity for NSW is the 11:30 AEST–13:30 AEST window tonight, where predispatch prices fall to $23.88–$28.05/MWh — a saving of roughly $55–$59/MWh against the current rate. Prices will soften progressively from 10:30 AEST onwards and remain below $42/MWh through to approximately 15:00 AEST, before ticking back above $50/MWh from 14:30 AEST as morning demand builds. The single cheapest NSW interval forecast is $23.88/MWh at 12:00 AEST. For VIC and SA, the opportunity is even more pronounced: prices are forecast to go negative between 11:00 AEST and 16:30 AEST tonight, reaching as low as -$11.95/MWh in VIC and -$11.22/MWh in SA around 14:30 AEST. Flexible loads in those two regions can effectively be paid to consume during that window. QLD overnight prices will ease to $21–$25/MWh from 11:00 AEST, with the best intervals around 11:30–12:00 AEST. TAS remains elevated throughout at $59–$83/MWh with no meaningful low-price window; the limited forecast spread suggests interconnector constraints are keeping TAS prices anchored to near-current levels.
The periods to avoid are clear: the current evening peak through to approximately 10:00 AEST tonight across all NEM regions, and the morning ramp from approximately 16:30 AEST onwards tomorrow. NSW and QLD predispatch data shows prices climbing back above $56/MWh by 15:30 AEST, and the forecast data for tomorrow's 07:00 AEST slot shows NSW at $62.87/MWh and VIC at $31.69–$36.68/MWh, so morning loads should be locked in before 06:30 AEST if possible. WA operators face no beneficial overnight window in the data provided and should target off-peak tariff structures rather than spot exposure.
**Concrete recommendation:** Schedule all deferrable loads — industrial process loads, hot water, cool stores, EV charging, battery charging — to begin no earlier than 10:30 AEST and concentrate consumption between 11:00 AEST and 14:30 AEST tonight. VIC and SA operators have the strongest case for maximising load in the 12:00–15:00 AEST window where negative prices may apply. NSW and QLD operators should target 11:30–13:00 AEST for the cheapest intervals. All regions should have flexible loads concluded or wound back by 15:30 AEST ahead of the morning demand ramp.